Page 1683 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 4 May 2010
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there is very little evidence—in fact, there is no evidence—to suggest that there has been any cheating in relation to NAPLAN testing in the ACT.
MS BRESNAN: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Bresnan.
MS BRESNAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, have you met with the union to listen to the concerns of teachers who are not opposed to NAPLAN testing but rather the fall-out when results are converted into league tables naming and shaming schools?
MR BARR: Yes, I have met with the Australian Education Union. I am aware of their views. I fundamentally disagree with them, as we have discussed in this chamber. The federal education minister has met with the Australian Education Union at a national level, including, obviously, representatives of the ACT branch, who were in that meeting with the AEU national executive. My state and territory education colleagues have met with the Australian Education Union.
I must make one thing absolutely clear, though. This is not a negotiation with the AEU over what will be published on the My School website. All education ministers have agreed that this is not a negotiation with the AEU over the content of the My School website. Nothing will be taken off that site under the threat of industrial action by a rogue union. Let me make that absolutely clear. We are, of course, happy to discuss with the Australian Education Union, together with all other education stakeholders, what new information can be added to the My School website in the future.
Let me be very clear about this: it is the resolve of this government and every Australian government that we will not be held to ransom by the Australian Education Union. These tests are critical for students. Parents support them. I have been inundated with emails, phone calls and correspondence from parents demanding that these tests go ahead. We support parents; we support students; we support good outcomes for our schools. This data enables that. If the Australian Education Union have a problem with the media’s coverage of the My School website, they can take that up directly with the media. This government and no other Australian government will be party to censoring the media in that way.
Capital works—projects
MR SMYTH: My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, in answering question on notice No 696 you provided a table of projects completed by your government in January and February 2010. The table shows that over one-third of the projects were completed 12 months or more later than first anticipated. Further, you failed to provide the actual costs of the completed projects. Treasurer, why does your government continue to fail on infrastructure and capital works delivery in the ACT?
MS GALLAGHER: I fundamentally disagree with the last sentence—that we fail on infrastructure. In fact, in future years when we look back I think this government will
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